Dogs at Herne Hill

Other than the fear of them running across the track or at cyclists or barking suddenly and causing accidents or generally fouling the place, what possible reason could there be for not allowing dogs?

Well, apart from the possibility of them causing accidents, generally fouling the place, attacking other dogs, attacking small children, affecting the venue's, coaches', race organisers' insurance and being of completely no need within a cycling facility. Nothing at all. HHV isn't a public park for the exercising of canines, there are plenty nearby which serve that purpose.

99% of people who ignore the signs and are told, have no problem and are polite. There is the occasional moron who argues but they are thankfully few and far between. Dogs have never been permitted on site since VCL mgmt took over in 2005 (and very possibly before that) however, some people have brought them in before and therefore are of the belief 'it must be OK', a similar logic to the belief that if you broke the speed limit on a stretch of road and didn't get caught, then it must be legal to do so again.